Holding-block for stereotype and electrotype plates.



No. 676,0"). Patented lune ll, I901. J. H. SIMPSON. HOLDING BLOCK FORSTEREOTYPE AND ELECTRUTYPE PLATES.

lApplication filed Feb. 9, 1901.\ (No laden. 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

//VVENTOR- )TTOR/VE) No. 676,0l0. Patented lune H. l90l. J. H. SIMPSON.

HOLDING BLOCK FOR STEREOTYPE AND ELEOTROTYPE PLATES.

lApplicntion filed. Feb. 9, 1901.\ (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Shut 2.

Patented lune ll, l90l.

. .1. H. SIMPSON.

HOLDING BLOCK FOR STEBEOTYPE AND ELECTBOTYPE PLATES.

(Application filed Feb. 9, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Shoots-Sheet 3.

NRQ

lll

ulllllllh WIrWEJJIJ.

,4 rrwM EK 1m: mm Paton no? IMOTO-LIYNO msmnarou. o c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HENRY SIMPSON, OF DERBY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONEIIALF TO EDMUNDWILLIAM IIORNSEY WALKER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

HOLDING-BLOCK FOR STEREOTYPE AND ELECTROTYPE PLATES.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 676,010, dated June 11,1901.

Application filed February 9,1901. Serial No. 46,697. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it 7771({1/ concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HENRY SIMPSON, printer, a citizen of GreatBritain, residing at 3 Avondale road, Derby, in the county of Derby,England, have invented new and useful Improvements in IIolding Blocksfor Stereotype and Electrotype Plates, (for which I have applied forpatents in Great Britain, No. 5,325, bearing date March 20, 1900, andNo. 22,753, bearing date December 13, 1900,) of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to blocks for backing or holding stereotype orother printing plates or surfaces, and has for its object to providesets of blocks that shall be capable of holding plates of various sizeswithout the use of any separate intermediate fillingblocks.

The invention consists of blocks of substantially triangularform,whichare arranged side by side with their hypoten uses in contact and arecapable of relative movement in the direction of their hypotenuses forextending or diminishing the length or breadth and so as to be capableof receiving printing-plates of various sizes.

According to the invention blocks are provided of substantiallytriangular form having their corners cut off, so that when two of suchblocks are placed together along their hypotenuses for the holding of aplate or printingsurface the length or breadth may be altered Withinlimits determined by the actual and virtual perpendicular and base ofthe blocks.

According to the invention also blocks are provided having along theiredges a series of movable or sliding bars for the purpose of extendingthe surface of the blocks, which movable or sliding bars are capable ofmovement parallel with the edge against which they are mounted, so thatthe length or breadth may be extended on their movement in one directionor the other.

According to the invention also catches are provided for retaining theplates upon the blocks, such catches being capable of being turned so asnot to protrude above the surface of the blocks, thereby enabling theblocks to be employed to make ones of larger size or of particularshape.

The invention is illustrated in the aecompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a plan view of holding-blocks provided according to theinvention for receiving a printing-plate of medium size. Fig. 2 is aplan view of holding-blocks of the same size as those illustrated inFig. 1, but arranged for the reception of a relatively longprinting-plate. Fig. 3 is a plan View of holding-blocks of the same sizeas those illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, but disposed for the reception ofa plate of a length corresponding to the length of the blocks. Fig. t isa plan view of holding-blocks provided according to the invention withmovable or sliding bars and disposed for the reception of an oblongstereotype-plate l, as indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 5 is an elevationcorresponding to Fig. 4. Fig. (3 is a plan view of the sameholdingblocksasillustrated in Fig. 4-,butsoarranged as to receive asquare stereotype-plate Z, asindicated in dotted lines. Fig. 7 is anelevation corresponding to Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an elevation of one of thesliding bars employed. Fig. 9 isan end elevation correspondingthereto.Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation on the line A B, Figs. 4 and 6. Fig. 11is a plan view of the same holding-blocks as illustrated in Figs.

4 and 6, but arranged for the reception of a different-shaped plate.Fig. 12 isa plan view of a holding-block of modified construction, inwhich the sliding bars instead of being arranged along the hypotenuseare arranged along the perpendicular as well as the base.

In carrying the invention into effect as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and3 angular blocks n n are provided, preferably of metal, such blockshaving one of their angles a right angle; but instead of the blocksbeing completely triangularin shape their acute-angled 9o corners a: xare cut off at right angles to their base a and perpendicular 11respectively, thereby forming a five-sided figure in which thehypotenuse n is relatively short. If the two blocks 01 n, which are ofthe same size, are taken and laid side by side, so that theirhypotenuses n exactly coincide, the blocks will form a quadrilateralfigure, as illustrated in Fig. 1, of dimensions corresponding to thevirtual base 1) of the blocks and the virtual Ioo' perpendicular 0thereof, and spaces q q will be left at each corner, which may be filledin by the insertion of suitably-shaped small filling-in pieces. Catchesg are provided along the perpendicular and base edges of the blocks n nfor holding the stereotype or other printing plate upon the blocks.These catches are preferably of a construction hereinafter described. Itthe blocks be adjusted along their hypoteuuses so that the right-anglededge 7 of the corner of one alines with the perpendicular edge 72, ofthe other, the blocks will form a figure of a breadth exactly the sameas that of the actual base a of the blocks, and relatively long andtriangular spaces (1 will be formed, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Again, ifthe blocks are adjusted along their hypotenuses so that the edge 7" ofthe corner of the block it alines with the base a of the other a figurewill be formed of a length corresponding to the actual length of theblocks and of relatively great breadth, triangular spaces (1 being alsoformed by the corners of the blocks,which are cut away, as illustratedin Fig. 3, or yet the blocks 21 it may be adjusted on their hypotenusesinto any relative position intermediate between those indicated in Figs.2 and 3.

The blocks, having the plates mounted upon them and retained on them bysuch means as catches g, may be wedged up in the chase in the ordinarymanner for mounting upon the forms.

Sets of two blocks It u, made according to the invention, are preferablymade in standard sizes, which permit of intermediate sizes being made upby the utilization of one block of one size and another of another. Forexample, it is contemplated to form the blocks in sizes corresponding toNos. 12 16 20 2t 28, &c., size No. 12 being twelve ems at base, size 16being sixteen ems at base, and so on. It therefore one block of the No.12 set be used with one block of the No. 16 set, an intermediate sizeequivalent to No. 14 can be made up without the use of special blocksfor holding that size of plate and without the use of any separateintermediate filling-blocks.

Some filling-in blocks are provided for filling in the'spaces q q.

In the arrangement of movable or sliding bars upon the holding-blocks,as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 11, I provide angular blocks, such as (tI), of suitable height and preferably of metal, and upon the hypotenusec I arrange a series of contiguous sliding bars a a and b b, which,respectively, extend the surface of the blocks (L and b and are fixed inposition by such means as pins 6, upon which the bars a and b slide inslots m, suitable screws or stops f being provided, which engage inslots 6 in the pins 6 to permit of their being drawn out to a limitedextent, so that if required the printer may insert leads or clumps toallow for the variation in the planing up of the plates. The pins 0 arepreferably provided with a countersunk head 0 by means of which the barsa or Z) may be retained together,while yet permitting the one block tolie firmly against the other, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, so as toproperly hold the plates for mounting within the chase. The bars may,however, be connected together in a D-shaped or other slide or by anyother suitable means permitting of their extension, and may be of wedgeor other suitable shape, and their respective extreme positions may bedetermined by such means as stops. As illustrated, the pins 8 arepreferably so arranged on the blocks and the length of the slots on ofthe respective bars are so determined as to permit the respectiveright-- angled extremities of the bars a b in the respective extremepositions thereof to aline with the length or breadth of the block. Thebars a a of the block (tare in their respective extreme positions inFigs. 4 and (i, and the bars I) b of the block I) in those figures arealso in their respective extreme positions, which are opposite to thepositions of the bars a, a.

It will be understood that the sliding bars a b may be placed so as toextend the length of the blocks, in which case the breadth may as aminimum be that of the triangular blocks a b, as illustrated in Fig. 4,while they may be placed so as to extend their breadth, in which casethe length may as a minimum be that of the perpendicular of thetriangular blocks (t I), as illustrated in Fig. (5, or the sliding barsmay be placed so as to extend both length and breadth, as illustrated inFig. 11, so that it will thus be seen that the length and breadth may bevaried within limits determined by the perpendicular and base of thetriangular blocks employed and by the number and thickness of thesliding bars. The sliding bars have thus the effect in one position orthe other of completingone angle of the hypotenuse while cutting oit theangle of the other. The angular blocks provided with the movable orsliding bars may, however, have also their corners cut off to a smalldegree, as illustrated in the drawings, the object being in each case toprovide for the adjustment of the blocks within limits determined by anactual and a virtual perpendicular and base, respectively, of theblocks.

I prefer to employ triangular blocks, such as a Z), having angles ofthirty degrees, sixty degrees, and ninety degrees, as illustrated,though my invention is obviously not confined to the employment ofblocks of this triangular form. I also prefer to employ sliding barshaving right-angled ends, which permit of the extended edges being madecontinuous.

Theblocks, with the connected sliding bars, are self-contained and donot necessitate the employment of printers leads and clumps. Such may,however, be employed between the mounted sliding bars a I), in whichcase the pins 0 may, as illustrated, be so arranged as to be capable ofextension for their reception.

Fig. 12 represents a modification of the invention, in which the slidingbars a, instead of being arranged against the hypotenuse of the block W,are arranged against the perpendicular and base thereof, the slotswithin the sliding bars a being so determined in relation to the pins 6as to render the bars capable of extension to the extent indicated bydotted lines in the figure. Such a block can be used with another of thesame or other pattern or size to hold a plate or surface of anyparticular size or shape.

According to the invention the catches g, employed to retain the bevelededges of the plate, such as Z or Z, Fig. 4 or Fig. 6, are pivoted to theedges of the blocks on pins h and are capable of being turned down, asthat indicated g*, Fig. 7, so that their engaging edges 9 may notprotrude above the surface of the blocks when not required and so thateither surface of the blocks may be employed for mounting the plates.The blocks may thus be employed as intermediate blocks when large platesor plates of peculiar shape are to be dealt with. The clips may, as ispreferred, be provided of square shape, so that they may be positivelyretained in posi tion, even should the plate be temporarily taken fromthe blocks. The clips 9 should otherwise be aflixed to the blocks by thepins h, so as not to turn easily. Loose catches may be employed inaddition Where required.

Blocks provided as hereinbefore described may be employed for backing orholding diamond-shaped plates or plates of other fancy or peculiarshape.

Instead of two blocks being used for the reception of a stereotype orother printing plate four such blocks may be provided, for example, andbe adjusted on diagonal lines, each of the blocks being of substantiallytriangular shape with the corners cut olf.

Any suitable means may be employed for securing the sliding bars to theblocks than those specified.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks being of substantially triangular form, and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks, and having the angularcorners at their hypotennses cut oil, the blocks being arranged oneagainst the other along their respective hypotennses, and being capableof relative movement in the direction of their hypotenuses to form acomposite quadrilateral block of varying dimensions.

2. In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks being of substantially triangular form, and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks, and having the angularcorners at theirhypotenuses cutoff to form edges, which when the blocksare placed one against the other along their respective hypotenuses, areparallel with the perpendicular and base of the respective blocks, saidblocks being eapable of relative movement to form a compositequadrilateral block of varying dimensions.

In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printing plates,said blocks being of substantially triangular form, and provided withcatches for holding the plate on the blocks, and consisting of angularparts and one or a series of connected but movable bars, which in oneposition complete one of the angles of the hypotenuse, said blocks beingplaced one against the other along their respective hypotenuses, the onebeing capable of movement in relation to the other, and the bars beingcapable of a movement parallel to the angular parts of the blocks onwhich they are mounted so as to form a quadrilateral block of varyingdimensions.

4. In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks being of substantially triangular form, and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks, and consisting ofangular parts and one or a series of connected but movable bars mountedalongside the hypotenuse thereof, and capable of movement parallelthereto, which bars in one position complete one of the angles of thehypotenuse while rendering the other opposite angle incomplete, saidblocks being placed one against the other along their respectivehypotenuses, and being capable of relative movement in the direction oftheir hypotennses to form a quadrilateral block of varying dimensions.

5. In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks being of substantially triangular form, and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks, and consisting ofangular parts and one or a series of connected but movable bars mountedalongside the perpendicular thereof, and capable of movement parallelthereto, which bars in one position complete one of the angles of thehypotenuse, said blocks being placed one against the other along theirrespective hypotenuses, the one being capable of movement relative tothe other to form a composite quadrilateral block of varying dimensions.

6. In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks being of substantially triangular form and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks, and consisting ofangular parts and one or a series of connected but movable bars mountedalongside the base thereof and capable of movement parallel thereto,which bars in one position complete one of the angles of the hypotenuse,said blocks being placed one against the other along their respectivehypotenuses, the one being capable of movement relative to the other toform a composite quadrilateral block of varying dimensions.

7. In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks being of substantially triangular form and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks, and consisting ofangular parts and one or a series of connected but movable bars mountedalongside the perpendicular and base respectively thereof and capable ofmovement parallel thereto, which bars in one position complete one ofthe angles of the hypotenuse, said blocks being placed one against theother along their respective hypotenuses, the one being capable ofmovement relative to the other to form a composite quadrilateral blockof varying dimensions.

8. In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks being of substantially triangular form and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks, and consisting ofangular parts and one or a series of connected but movable bars, saidbars being provided with slots through which pins pass for connection ofthe bars to the angular parts, said slots being of such a length as topermit of the extension of the bars so as to complete one of the anglesof the hypotenuse, said blocks being placed one against the other alongtheir respective hypotenuses, the one being capable of movement relativeto the other to form a composite quadrilateral block of varyingdimensions.

9. In combination, blocks for holding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks loein of substantiall trian ular form and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks, and consisting ofangular parts and one or a series of connected but movable bars havingtheir extremities of rectangular form, which bars in one positioncomplete one of the angles of the hypotenuse, said blocks being placedone against the other along their respective hypotenuses the one beingcapable of movement relative to the other, and the bars being capable ofa movement parallel to the sides of the angular parts of the blocks onwhich they are mounted, so as to form a quadrilateral block of varyingdimensions.

10. In combination,blocks forholding stereotype and other printingplates, said blocks being of substantially triangular form and providedwith catches for holding the plate on the blocks and having the angularcorners at their hypotenuses cut off, one or a series of movable barsconnected to the blocks and capable of movement parallel to the side onwhich they are mounted, said blocks being arranged one against the otheralong their respective hypotenuses, and being capable of relativemovement in the direction of their hypotenuse to form a compositequadrilateral block of varying dimensions.

11. Incombination,blocksforholdingstereotype and other printing plates,said blocks being of substantially triangular form and provided withcatches for holding the plate on the blocks, and consisting of angularparts and one or a series of connected but movable bars, said bars beingprovided with slots through which pins pass for connection of the barsto the angular parts said pins being ca pable of elongation, said slotsbeing of such a length as to permit of the extension of the bars so asto complete one of the angles of the hypotenuse, said blocks beingplaced one against the other along their respective hypotenuses, the onebeing capable of movement relative to the other to form a compositequadrilateral block of varying dimensions.

12. A block for holding stereotype and other printing plates, said blockbeing of substantially triangular form and provided with catches forholding the plate, said block consisting of an angular part and one or aseries of connected but movable bars capable of movement parallel to theside of the block on which they are mounted, which bars in one positioncomplete one of the angles of the hypotenuse, substantially asdescribed.

13. Ablock for holdingstereotype and other printing plates, said blockbeing of substantially triangular form and provided with catches forholding the plate, and having the angular corners at the hypotenuse cutoff parallel to the opposite side of the block, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN HENRY SIMPSON.

\Vitnesses:

CHARLES KIRK EDDoWEs, GEO. R. EDDoWEs.

